MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR PARENTAL SANITY
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MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR PARENTAL SANITY
I remember moments of stress when I threatened my son that I was going to take him back to the hospital if he didn’t get his act together and QUICK. And okay, don’t act like I am the only one. (SMILE.) Everybody’s mama has threatened this or something similar at one time or another.
But on a more serious note, scared mothers in the past have either had illegal abortions, have simply abandoned babies in places like dumpsters or even worse have killed their babies. As a result, states have drafted and adopted laws that give a safe haven to such mothers. The laws allow for the mothers to drop their babies off at designated hospitals and other safe places, without the threat of or fear of criminal prosecution. In most states, the parent surrendering their child in this way is even allowed to remain anonymous.
The original intent of such laws was to protect infants. Apparently, Nebraska is the last state in the union to adopt such a safe haven into law. Matter of fact, Nebraska’s law just took effect in July of this year. The Nebraska legislators, as attorneys easily do, over thought this one for sure and that is now biting them in the butt. In an attempt to be fair and inclusive, the Nebraska legislature expanded the law to include any child, with their interpretation of “any child” meaning any person under the age of 19.
WOW! Okay, before you start packing, calm down. I know what you are thinking if you have a teenager like me, but it has already been done. One guy has taken advantage of this new law to the fullest extent. He basically rounded up his 9, yes count them NINE, children and dropped them off at the nearest designated hospital. The nine siblings included five boys and four girls ranging from ages 1 to 17. Boy, not only was this dad busy in the past few years, but he did not discriminate. Brothers and sisters alike had to go. Unfortunately for us the guy gets to remains anonymous. I just wish I could have five minutes to sit down and ask him “So what was the last straw before you rounded everyone up in the car?” I can almost hear it now. “Oh no, Johnny get off the ceiling. Who broke the remote? Why did you hit your sister? OKAY THAT’S IT! EVERYBODY TO THE VAN!”
And better yet where is mom? Did the two of them just need a night out? Or was it this dad’s weekend and all the baby mamas thought he was just taking their kids to the park for a picnic? Or was it that child support on NINE (and yes, I can’t get over the number , so I’ll say it again NINE) children is a mother for ya’? [Side note: If child support was kicking his butt like that, he could have called a sista’. I’d be just the attorney he needed. I would have helped a brother.]
Back to the serious note: The kids are okay. They are now in the state’s protective custody and went to a shelter to await a foster home. The children didn’t appear to be abused or neglected. However, it is unlikely that if this dad did just need a break and ever regrets his decision that he would be able to get his kids back.
As of last week, only two other people had used this law by dropping off kids. One child was an 11 year old boy and the other was a 15 year old boy, and neither was related. But back to the other dad with the NINE: He may have just ruined a good thing for the rest of us. The Legislature is going back to the drawing board and rethinking their meaning of any “child” and the intent of this law. The law will most likely be altered during the next session, since they now realize that changes are definitely needed. However, the irony is the Legislature does not meet again until January, unless a special session is called. (That is doubtful.) So if you have unruly, smart mouth teens, especially NINE of them, save your pennies. I heard the drive to Nebraska’s border is pretty this time of the year, especially on the way back when it’s just you in the car.
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